Internationally renowned artist and storyteller Maungarongo (Ron) Te Kawa will be in Central Otago in mid-September giving workshops on textiles and connection.As part of the ACE Festival of Adult Learning and Welcoming Communities Week, Central Otago REAP and Central Otago District Council are holding Whiria te Tāngata from September 5 to 14 - celebrating lifelong learning and the threads that connect people.Ron will have two workshops: one in Bannockburn on Saturday September 13 and a second in Earnscleugh on Sunday September 14.The textile artist and former fashion designer who currently lives in Woodville would be part of a week of events to promote hands-on learning and cultural exchange.Whiria te Tāngata was a Māori whakataukī (proverb) meaning ‘weave the people together’. “It speaks to unity, connection, and belonging, the strength we gain when individuals and communities come together with shared purpose,” ACE team leader Emma McLean said.Following a vibrant career in costume design and fashion, Ron dedicated himself to full-time art-making and teaching. In addition to producing his own elaborate whakapapa quilts, he also hosts sewing workshops, guiding participants to express their creativity and genealogy through fabric. His works are held in a wide range of private and public collections, including those of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, the Dowse Art Museum, and the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau.A hands on workshop day at the Maniototo arts centre starts today (Friday September 5) from 9-3pm, for anybody wanting to drop in and learn about gardening, AI, voice and wellbeing.At Alexandra Community House on Monday night (September 8), Lake Hāwea singer/songwriter Anna van Riel will offer vocal coaching.Other events include a whakarongomai listening lounge session on September 11, involving stories from locals newcomers while enjoying South African cuisine.More information about the week can be found here on the Central App community button.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

Central Otago District Council has signalled concerns about the government’s Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill, warning it could limit the council’s ability to plan for long-term community needs. Mayor Tamah Alley said she intends to present the council’s submission to central government decision makers, if given the chance.The bill, introduced earlier this year, aims to focus councils on “core services” such as roads, water, and waste, while removing the broader social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being responsibilities reinstated in 2019. It also seeks greater national oversight, standardised governance tools, and stronger reporting on council expenditure.In its submission on the bill, delivered last week, CODC welcomed the government’s goal of improving efficiency and transparency but raised concerns that the bill misunderstands the drivers of rate increases and could encourage short-term decision-making at long-term cost.“Our community has clearly asked us to manage increasing cost pressures with a mature, planned approach,” the submission said. “We ask the government facilitate this with a bipartisan government consensus on the purpose of local government and stability to navigate the future.”The council notes 77 percent of its spending is on roading, water infrastructure, and waste, with increases in three waters, insurance, and energy costs driving a chunk of rates rises. The submission warns proposed rate-pegging measures could severely limit the council’s capacity to invest in housing, infrastructure renewal, and climate resilience.While supporting improved reporting and accountability at a national level, the council emphasises that “what looks good for Christchurch or Wellington is not the same as what looks good for Ranfurly or Cromwell”.The submission also raises concerns about community well-being: removing the four well-being provisions could narrow councils’ purpose and restrict their ability to reflect local values. “Local government is the most immediate and accessible form of democracy,” the submission said. “The strength of our system lies in its responsiveness to local voices, local diversity, and local aspirations.”Finally, the council is concerned there’s a risk the bill shifts new responsibilities onto them without enough support, particularly in civil defence and climate adaptation work.“Central Otago District Council is concerned about the potential for unfunded mandates and communities falling through gaps in this legislation,” the submission said.Mayor Alley said the council will continue to advocate for local autonomy, clear guidance, and resources that enable Central Otago to plan for its community now and into the future.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Psychiatric services for children and adolescents would be expanded in Central Otago, and telehealth consultations made available to those in the Upper Clutha region.Two additional mental health nurses have also joined the Queenstown-based community mental health team, providing increased in-person support across the region, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced last Thursday (August 28). The minister said the government was committed to faster access to mental health support, more frontline mental health workers, and a better mental health crisis response.A new psychiatric registrar recently joined the Central Lakes Community Mental Health team based at Dunstan Hospital - transferring from Dunedin.Matt Doocey told the Central App the psychiatric registrar role for Central Otago, which also covered Queenstown and Wānaka, improved capacity for face-to-face appointments.Those spoken to in the industry confirmed the biggest need for the service in Central Otago was in the area of moderate to severe mental health.The community mental health team had an on-call 24-hour service that linked with Dunedin’s Waikari Hospital for urgent referrals.In November 2024, New Zealand Police started scaling back its mental health assistance, including transportation requests to psychiatric hospitals - saying it was taking up too much of their time.Police now only respond to mental health sector requests where there is an immediate risk to life and safety.The minister announced another new contract for child and youth mental health services in Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago, awarded to ADL Supporting Young People and based in Cromwell.ADL employs a team of clinicians and wellbeing coaches that offer professional counselling services to youth.On his recent visit to Wānaka as part of the nationwide Rural Health Roadshow, Matt had the opportunity to meet with more than 300 locals at a community meeting - the largest turnout of the roadshow.“While there I held a dedicated session with Health Action Wānaka, a local group advocating for improved health services in the region.“Hearing directly from residents and frontline health workers, including their concerns, reinforced why this government is working hard to improve the health system.” He said the changes would help deliver better child and youth services together with adult crisis support, clinical care, and therapy closer to home: “Something we heard loud and clear was needed during our Wānaka visit.” Matt said the government was “turning the corner” on reducing wait times and increasing the mental health workforce. “Recent data shows the frontline Health NZ mental health workforce has grown around 10 percent since we came into government, and over 80 percent of people are being seen within three weeks for specialist services.” Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

A new bloc of candidates for Otago Regional Council (ORC) is promising not just a rates freeze, but actual rates cuts.Vision Otago, which includes sitting Dunstan councillors Michael Laws and Gary Kelliher, launched its rates and finance policy this week, pledging to “reduce rates, not hold them” over their first council term.The group said its campaign is fuelled by what it calls the “obscene annual rate rises” of recent years.While this year the average rates rise for the region was 5.5 percent - significantly lower than the forecast 13.8 percent - it was 16.6 percent, 18.8 percent, 18 percent, and 48.5 percent in the years preceding.Michael said households in Central Otago and Southern Lakes often experienced rates rises higher than average.Both he and Gary refused to sign off on rates rises in the past term in a bid to “instil more responsibility to the council’s finances”.Vision Otago argues the council has let spending spiral, pointing to staff numbers they say have almost doubled in recent years, a new Dunedin headquarters that is over budget and behind schedule, and the contrast of still hiking rates despite fully owning Port Otago and banking a $15M dividend last year.“In the midst of a cost of living crisis – when farmers, businesses and ordinary households are doing it tough – the ORC has purposefully turned a blind eye,” Michael said.“This isn’t so much not reading the room – this is not reading the region.”In the Dunstan constituency, a third candidate for council, Nicky Rhodes, a commercial real estate agent based in Wānaka, is also running on the Vision Otago ticket.The elections will be conducted by postal vote using, for the first time, the Single Transferable Vote system, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference and can encourage strategic grouping.At a meet-the-candidates event held in central Queenstown on Monday night (September 1), local Queenstown-based ORC hopefuls Matt Hollyer and Ben Farrell reportedly joined forces to suggest voters rank them ‘1’ and ‘2’ on the ballot - then stop there, to up the chance of a strong Wakatipu voice on the council.The Dunstan constituency covers the communities of Wānaka, Cromwell, Tarras, Makarora, Alexandra, Maniototo and Teviot Valley, in addition to Queenstown.Long-standing Central Otago councillor and deputy mayor Neil Gillespie, of Cromwell, and Maniototo-based community worker Aime Pont round out the seven candidates vying for election to the four seats representing the area - up from three at the last election.Ballot papers are expected in letterboxes throughout the region later in September, with voting closing on Saturday, October 11. Read more: Councillors slam STV shift as 'Dunedin-centric' and ORC’s new voting system ‘easy and effective’: expertHave a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

A suspended bunker among rocky outcrops on the Tarras-Cromwell highway, complete with five bedrooms, has been publicly notified by Central Otago District Council.JKH Holdings has applied for consent to construct the eight metre deep, 890sqm bunker, including a gym and media room, and finished with a ‘green roof’ camouflaged by surrounding vegetation.Joseph Hamlin of Collaroy, Australia, is listed as the sole director and shareholder of the company.The original consent for a building platform of 1,600sqm on a lower section of the 335.72ha site, in an Outstanding Natural Landscape (ONL) zone, has been relinquished by the owners.Conditions of the original consent didn’t allow for any schist outcrops to be disturbed, while the current application required that two would be moved for construction.Situated below the Dunstan Range near Devils Creek, the dwelling was proposed to have an overall height of 3.85m.The landscape assessment report for the applicant outlined how the bunker would be cut into the hillside to integrate with three rock outcrops on each of its corners.The roofline’s western and southern corners would both terminate into existing rock outcrops, with the southern corner being flush with existing ground level. The northern façade and eastern corner would cantilever out over a schist foundation podium by approximately 2.5m.The planner’s report said overall the proposed activity was likely to have adverse effects on the wider environment that were more than minor therefore public notification was required.The applicant proposed extensive ecological enhancement of the site in the form of a 4.8ha predator proof sanctuary, and the provision of 14,000 indigenous plants at various locations across the property. Submissions close on September 25 with a hearing to follow.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

If you’ve ever needed to sign an international document, you might have heard the term Notary Public thrown around. But what exactly is a Notary Public, and why does it matter that CM Law can now offer this service? We’ve got some exciting news: Kirsten Knights, Director at Checketts McKay Law (CM Law), has recently been appointed as a Notary Public — and that opens up a new level of convenience and capability for our clients across Central Otago and beyond.Let’s break it down. What is a Notary Public?A Legal Witness with International AuthorityA Notary Public in New Zealand is a lawyer authorised by the Archbishop of Canterbury (yes, that’s in the UK — it’s a very old tradition) to officially witness signatures, certify documents, and verify identities for use outside New Zealand. In short, a Notary Public acts as a bridge between our legal system and the rest of the world.What Does a Notary Public Actually Do?Here are a few things a Notary Public can help with:Witnessing signatures on powers of attorney, affidavits, or statutory declarations for use overseasCertifying copies of official documents like passports, birth certificates, or academic recordsVerifying identity for international business or legal transactionsPreparing Notarial Certificates that confirm a document is authenticFacilitating Apostille or Authentication processes for use in countries that require additional verificationIf you're dealing with foreign banks, embassies, courts, or universities, chances are you’ll need a Notary at some point. Kirsten Knights – Your Local Notary Public in Central OtagoWe’re proud to announce that Kirsten Knights, Director at CM Law, has recently been appointed as a Notary Public. With this new designation, CM Law now offers in-house Notary services — meaning you no longer need to travel to Dunedin or Queenstown to get documents notarised. It’s one more way we’re working to make life easier for our clients. What This Means for You1. No More Long DrivesCentral Otago has long needed more accessible Notary services. With Kirsten now authorised, you can save time and money by staying local.2. Peace of MindAs both a senior lawyer and a Notary Public, Kirsten ensures that your documentation is handled with precision and in compliance with international standards.3. Faster TurnaroundsBecause the Notary services are in-house, you don’t have to wait for referrals or delays — we’ll get you sorted quickly and correctly. Who Needs Notary Services?International travellers, students, investors, business owners, or anyone dealing with offshore authorities. If you’re:Applying for a job overseasBuying or selling property abroadStudying at a foreign universityDealing with offshore trusts or companiesHandling an overseas estate…you’ll likely need something notarised. Why Choose CM Law for Notary Services?At CM Law, we’re more than just legal experts — we’re part of your community. With over a century of trusted service in Central Otago, we’re known for:Clear communicationTailored solutionsTrusted expertiseDeep local rootsAdding notarial services just makes sense. It’s another cog in the machine that helps our region run smoothly — and it aligns with our vision to be your first choice for legal support in Central Otago. How to Book a Notary AppointmentIt’s simple:Call your local CM Law officeLet us know what you need notarisedBring along valid photo ID and any original documentsWe’ll take care of the rest In ConclusionHaving a Notary Public on the team at CM Law means we can offer even more comprehensive legal services — all under one roof, close to home. Whether you're sealing a deal abroad or applying for an international opportunity, we’re here to help make the paperwork pain-free.Notarising your documents doesn’t have to be a hassle. Now, it’s just another thing CM Law can take care of — professionally, locally, and efficiently. FAQs About Notary Services at CM LawQ: Can anyone at CM Law notarise documents?No, only Kirsten Knights is authorised as a Notary Public. However, our wider team can support the process by helping prepare your documents for notarisation.Q: Do I need an appointment?Yes, it’s best to book ahead to ensure Kirsten is available, especially if you have time-sensitive documents. Some documents require Kirsten to verify them with the issuer and this can take some time.Q: What should I bring to the appointment?Bring a valid passport or NZ driver licence, the original document, and any instructions from the receiving country (if applicable).Q: How much does it cost?Fees vary depending on the type of notarisation required. We’re happy to provide a quote over the phone or via email.Q: Can CM Law arrange Apostilles or further authentication?Yes, we can assist you in submitting documents to the Department of Internal Affairs for Apostille or Authentication, where needed.

Central Otago District Council (CODC) has signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the company behind a proposed gold mine in the hills above Cromwell - but Otago Regional Council (ORC) has refused.CODC confirmed it had agreed to keep confidential early reports on the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project, supplied to it by Matakanui Gold Ltd, a subsidiary of Santana Minerals.ORC, however, said it had declined to sign a draft NDA offered by the company earlier this year.Under the government’s fast-track consenting legislation, applicants must provide pre-lodgement reports to local authorities as part of consultation.Santana chief executive Damian Spring defended the use of NDAs, saying they were common in pre-application processes.“There needs to be a certain level of understanding between us…for us to have a robust and open discussion,” he said.Damien said the agreements were intended to cover consultants engaged by councils, rather than to restrict the councils themselves from sharing information.It was up to the councils to decide what information they shared under the Local Government Act, he said.Both councils confirmed they had engaged independent specialists to review the reports they had received so far. CODC acting infrastructure, planning and regulatory group manager Fiona Garrett said the district council was drawing on expertise in ecology, landscape, lighting, acoustics, heritage, economics, bonding and traffic.ORC environmental delivery general manager Joanna Gilroy said the regional council had been given 45 draft technical reports covering matters including ecology, water, geotechnical issues, noise, air quality, heritage, traffic, lighting, and economics. Its audits and commentary on the reports will go to the expert panel considering the mine application.A local protest group, Sustainable Tarras, said the use of NDAs underscored what it sees as a lack of transparency around the project. Spokesperson Rob van der Mark said the group had repeatedly asked Santana Minerals for more information.“The CEO has accused us of misrepresenting the project…[but at the same time] they are choosing to hide the details of the mine behind NDAs and non-notified consent applications. “The two-paragraph FAQs and the one-page rehabilitation plan tells us next to nothing about the literal and figurative downstream impacts of the mine.”Santana Minerals has been signalling for several months that its fast-track application is imminent. Once it is lodged, the application and expert reports will be made public.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

Hundreds of extreme ultra marathon runners and a few larrikins descended on Naseby over the past week for the 19th Great Naseby Water Race.Known as New Zealand’s longest ultramarathon, the event included 24 runners taking on the 200-mile (320km) challenge, covering the distance over four days, starting last Wednesday (August 27) and finishing on Saturday (August 30).Other events including the 100 mile (160km), 100km, 80km, 50km, and a 60km teams relay - all set on a 10km loop through the Naseby forest.Run entirely by volunteers, a total of 253 runners took part in the event, up from 190 last year. Alexandra competitor Susan Heal entered the race for the seventh time. Initially she signed up as a pacer for a guy to help him finish the 100 mile back in 2016.“I did it in my gumboots, because I thought I was just going out to Naseby for a yarn and wine. The following year I thought I would do it properly.”After several team events, she was back as a pacer for 100 mile women’s winner Sally Nichol in 2024 - keeping her going through one of the hard nights. Susan Heal has completed seven Naseby races - participating with a team in the 60km event. Photo: SuppliedGreat Naseby Water Race organiser Jill Wolff took over the event management four years ago, and said a number of participants told her it was the best ultra event they had been to, because of the wonderful community feel.Around half of the participants had a support crew as they ventured out into overnighters to complete their circuits.Jill said they were now probably at capacity for the bigger overnighter events - to be able to keep it well managed and not have the town become too crowded.“The beauty of it is it’s a figure eight loop so every 5km you can get aid, whether it be drinks or a rest. So you’re not way out in the wilderness and you don’t have to take any gear with you.”The event raised about $10,000 for the Naseby Development Charitable Trust, which maintains the Ernslaw One forest trail and mountain bike networks.Jill said people who returned every year have now run over 2,000km since they started.“This year we just got a real step up in community support. It was just incredible.”Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Cromwell’s Lochie Win set himself the goal of skiing the height of two Mount Everests in a single day, and he nearly conquered three, raising thousands of dollars in the process.The 11-year-old youth ambassador for the New Zealand Cancer Society completed 58 laps of the Coronet Express at Coronet Peak on Daffodil Day (Friday, August 29).Lochie skied from 8am until close to 7pm, clocking up almost 26,500 vertical metres.“It was exhausting,” he said.“But we had tons of friends there helping to support me.”Two young mates joined Lochie at points throughout the day, and staff at the ski field even delivered lunch to the chairlift.But the day wasn’t without its challenges, and around midday, Lochie hit a patch of moguls - snow bumps that form as skiers push snow downhill. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, why am I doing this?’” he said. “But then I remembered what the cause was for.”The Coronet Peak crew deliver lunch to Lochie Win to keep him on his Everest mission. Image: SuppliedLochie has been fundraising for the Cancer Society since he was six, after his mum’s cancer diagnosis. “The Cancer Society stepped in and helped my mum in so many amazing ways,” he said. “That’s why I feel a responsibility to give back.”This year’s challenge raised more than $3,000 through Lochie’s efforts alone, with the wider Conquer the Summit initiative - inspired by his past missions - pulling in nearly $10,000 nationwide, and donations are still open.Lochie’s dad Luke said one of the most moving parts of the day was hearing strangers cheer Lochie on from the chairlift and having people come up and talk about cancer, because it’s touched their families too. “It gives me goosebumps every time,” he said.What began with Lochie’s determination to say thank you via some madcap fundraising skiing adventures with his dad over the years has grown into something bigger. “That’s how Conquer the Summit was born,” Luke said.“This was the first year, and the plan is to grow it so more people can take part and fundraise.”Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

Cromwell’s water supply is getting a temporary boost: The town will borrow an ultraviolet (UV) treatment unit from Queenstown Lakes District Council to reduce the risk of protozoa contamination while its new water treatment plant is being built.  The decision at a council meeting on Wednesday (August 27) follows a report from Central Otago District Council’s three waters group manager Julie Muir, which flagged “the Cromwell water treatment plant is non-compliant for protozoa treatment”.  Protozoa are single-celled organisms – including cryptosporidium and giardia – that can survive in untreated water and cause serious stomach bugs in humans. Julie said national water regulator Taumata Arowai had made it clear councils must have “basic barriers in place” and be transparent with consumers “when their drinking water may be unsafe”. The new plant was supposed to be ready in December, but commissioning has been pushed back to May 2026. That delay creates a risk period, which council staff say requires a quick fix to avoid the possibility of a boil water notice. Julie explained the issue comes down to Cromwell’s water being drawn from bores beside Lake Dunstan that are a mix of aquifer and lake water.  “The Cromwell supply will source increased volumes of lake water when demand increases in the summer months,” she said in her report.“The risk from a potential protozoa contamination event cannot be mitigated without an ultraviolet system being in place.” Council staff arranged to borrow a containerised UV plant no longer needed in Queenstown for a lease cost of $500 per month – a fee Julie called “a good deal”. Total installation and operation costs are estimated at $360,000, to be paid for from the budget already assigned to the wider upgrade project. During the meeting, Cromwell councillor and deputy mayor Neil Gillespie emphasised the importance of acting to prevent protozoa contamination. Referencing the 2023 cryptosporidium outbreak in Queenstown and a subsequent months-long boil water notice, he said: “It happened just next door in Queenstown. Who would have thought it could happen there? This is the right thing to do and, unfortunately, this doing the right thing comes at a significant cost.” Mayor Tamah Alley cited the Havelock North water crisis to highlight the stakes. She spoke of a six-month-old baby who spent nine months in hospital with “ongoing lifelong medical conditions from drinking water that was contaminated”. Elected members also suggested the project is an example of growing cooperation between neighbouring councils. Council staff will now proceed with decommissioning, transporting, and installing the UV unit in Cromwell.  The Cromwell Water Safety Plan will be updated to reflect the temporary treatment process and re-submitted to water regulator Taumata Arowai. Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

The Roxburgh Entertainment Centre Project steering group will start engaging with the community to gather feedback on expectations of its new rebuild.The committee held its first start up meeting at the Roxburgh Service Centre last week (Monday August 25) and Alastair Monteath was appointed the steering group’s spokesperson for external stakeholders.He was excited about the project and happy to be part of the group, and said all the members were strongly committed to the rebuild.The historic building burned down on Waitangi Day, and the cause of the fire was still unknown. The group discussed the fire investigation report, and said while there may still be some public speculation about the cause of the fire, the investigation by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) concluded the cause of the fire was undetermined.“The FENZ report confirms that the origin and cause of the fire could not be reliably identified. The focus now was to deliver a new facility to replace what was gone,” he said. Central Otago District Council has received confirmation of the approved indemnity value to be received from insurers, which will allow the project to proceed. Negotiations were ongoing regarding the final insurance settlement, and updates would be provided as progress continues. The group reviewed and signed its terms of reference and discussed the project brief and next steps in the design process for the new facility.It will reconvene in the coming months to monitor progress. In the meantime, external stakeholder members and the Teviot Valley Community Board representative will begin engaging with the community to gather feedback on expectations for the new facility.Council staff will also commence preparation of the procurement plan for the building’s design phase.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

Central Otago residents have been helped by a free mental health and wellbeing support programme which marks five years this month.The Access and Choice programme - known locally as Tōku Oranga - is delivered through general practices.Funded by Te Whatu Ora and delivered by WellSouth, the programme embeds health improvement practitioners (HIPs), health coaches and support workers into the practices, offering 20-30-minute sessions at no cost. Since it began in August 2020, the programme has delivered more than 175,000 sessions to more than 56,000 people in the Southern region.“HIPs saw people predominantly for low mood, anxiety, generalised stress, sleep and relationship issues,” a WellSouth spokesperson said. “The health coach typically supported people around their physical wellbeing, weight and healthy lifestyles as well as smoking cessation.”Access and Choice programme lead Genevieve Obbeek said the programme has “changed the way we respond to mental health and wellbeing in primary care”. “People can get support early, in the places they already trust, without long waits or unnecessary barriers. There’s no wrong reason to come and see one of our team - any door is the right door, and it’s free.”The programme has helped bridge critical gaps in the health system by offering timely, practical support for people experiencing mental distress, stress, or life challenges, Genevieve said. It has also played a key role in improving equity, with services tailored to better meet the needs of Māori, Pacific, youth, and other underserved populations.  In addition to individual sessions, Access and Choice has introduced group workshops and proactive wellbeing initiatives that help people learn practical skills, connect with others, and stay well. The programme has also been named as a finalist for the 2025 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards.Find out more about how to access support here. LINK www.wellbeingsupport.health.nzHave a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Each week, mayor Tamah Alley shares a one-minute snapshot of the week that was, highlighting key decisions, updates, and the issues council is tackling.Democracy works best when your voice is heard. Tap into Let's Talk for ways to connect and be heard, from surveys and drop-in sessions, to writing directly to mayor Tamah Alley.

The email arrived from overseas. It had been five weeks since I’d heard from the Recycled Boyfriend and I was starting to be concerned about his welfare.“Don’t be stupid,” people were saying. “He’s ghosted you, we’ve all been there…” But there in my inbox one Thursday morning was this email - the opening line, “hello Sweet Cheeks”, with an upside down happy emoji to convince me of his flirtation.The rest of the email was all about how busy he’d been sorting life admin in a new country, (not lying on beaches swooning around drinking cocktails with random women like I thought).  Although there could’ve been a bit of that but nobody wants to hear that right? Just as much as me filling him in with stories about Fitness Boy and our sweaty sports matches, followed by drinks and fantastic conversation.Anyway, he signed off that he was thinking of me often and xx and that was enough to convince me we’re still in the game.No mention of when he’s coming back though - we had planned a long weekend together in October but that month is still a long way off….Anything could happen in six weeks - just as anything could happen in three months.As it did. So back to Fitness Boy. We had a bet about a sports game we were playing and of course I lost, so beers were shouted and off I trotted one Saturday night to deliver them.“Just calling in to have a drink as friends,” I politely pointed out.“Do you kiss all of your friends?” he said, reminding me of our first encounter at his place, where I specifically remember him lunging at me on the couch after some banter.Guilt seeped in. Was I leading him on by allowing that to happen? He knew about the Recycled Boyfriend and so I assumed it was safe to hang out and play. But Fitness Boy was laying down some strict boundaries right there and actually I fully respected that.He wasn’t interested in getting involved with someone just for fun. He wanted to start how he intended to proceed. And I was being a bit elusive because, to be quite honest, a part of me was ‘filling in time’ until Recycled Boyfriend got back.  At the moment, I didn’t even know when that was, if at all. And if he was still interested. There could be ‘Sweet Cheeks’ all over the world for all I knew…. Time would tell.

Central Otago seniors needing a chauffeur to get to an appointment or a meal delivery, and those in need of community advice, may be quite surprised to know just who’s driving, delivering and dishing that information out.South Otago-raised farm girl Annette Meyer, South Otago’s inaugural AMP Pastoral Queen in 1968, has had lifelong holiday ties with Alexandra, and in 2013, she and her Canadian husband, Dale Meyer, moved back to New Zealand after a stint managing a retirement village in Brisbane.She’s now an active volunteer with Alexandra Community Advice Network, coordinator for local Meals on Wheels, and with other volunteers, founded the Network’s local volunteer driver programme, getting those in need to local and out-of-town appointments.Annette on yet another Meals on Wheels. Photo: SuppliedNot one to brag, few would know that Annette has interviewed and rubbed shoulders with international stars in her youth, working as a broadcasting technical assistant, presenter and sound operator for TV and radio in the late 60s and early 70s. She’s interviewed folk singer Roger Whittaker, Welsh comedian and actor Harry Secombe, and even Coronation Street’s ‘Elsie Tanner’ (Pat Phoenix).In Wellington, she worked on shows like Country Calendar and set up the mics and sound equipment at Parliament for media interviews with the Prime Minister.Just turned 77 on August 16, Annette became a technical assistant at DNTV2 in Dunedin after leaving high school, also working for WNTV1 in Wellington, as well as radio stints at Whanganui’s 2ZW, 4ZA in Invercargill and Otago Radio, with several OEs in between.“It was so much fun working in broadcasting then,” she says.Annette was a scriptwriter for radio programmes, including Otago Radio’s and Radio Central’s Sunday morning Children’s Programme, heading out to the kindergartens with her mic to interview the kids. “We had this little character called Reggie at Otago Radio who we’d take to outside broadcasts as our mascot,” she says. “I’d write the script while a guy in the newsroom recorded it in slow speed.”“When played at normal speed, it sounded really quirky.” Unfortunately, little Reggie had been naughty in the script, so Annette’s story said he had to be smacked. “There was such a big uproar with parents ringing in complaining about that,” she grins.She was also the shopping reporter at Radio Otago and did the odd night shift and weekend morning show.Left: Annette during her time as Radio Otago’s Shopping Reporter. Right: Annette, as a little South Otago farm girl – always an animal lover. Photo: SuppliedAnnette ventured overseas alone at 22, working freelance at Radio London, travelling through North America, then working as breakfast chef at Glengarry Castle Hotel in Scotland before travelling through Africa with 17 others, in an Army truck.At 25, she ventured overseas again, travelling through Europe and ending up on a kibbutz in Israel. It was while returning home to NZ via Canada, where she’d stopped to catch up with friends she’d made on an earlier trip, that she met her husband of 48 years, Dale.A very young Dale and Annette in their early dating days. Photo: SuppliedShe was helping in a friend’s restaurant one day when a couple of regular Royal Canadian Mounted Police stopped by, one being Dale. “I never made it home. I stayed in Canada and married Dale,” she says.However, Alexandra grandparents are handy to have around and by the time their first two little boys had arrived, they moved back to New Zealand, Annette pregnant with what they thought was their third child.That was actually third and fourth and the start of an extremely busy time with four kids under three!Initially, they bought a shop in Alexandra but that proved too challenging with four little ones, so they sold up and moved to Invercargill where Dale worked as a prison officer. They moved to Lochiel and it was here that Annette decided to train as a primary teacher through the Southland Outpost of Dunedin Teachers College.“We lived on a farmlet in Lochiel and as Dale was on shift work, there were times when sheep had to be shifted early morning in the winter,” she says. “Hard to do in the dark with kids to get to school and me still having to drive to College in Invercargill each day.”She was also studying her varsity papers. “Dale said, ‘You’d better give up,’ but it wasn’t going to beat me,” she grins.Next move was to Christchurch, where they ran a private hotel, then motels in Oamaru, before returning to Invercargill where Annette went back to teaching.In search of warmth, Annette and Dale spent six years managing an 83-unit retirement village in Brisbane, after spending three months touring the US in a van. They did the same through Europe after Brisbane, before managing a resort complex.Alexandra beckoned with her mum aging, but unfortunately, she passed away just as they were to move over in 2013. There was a silver lining: “We bought her house off the family estate, subdivided and built our forever home next door.”An accomplished pianist, music had always been in her since she was a little girl. “My friend did Highland Dancing and taught me the Highland Fling, but Mum said, ‘You can choose Highland Dancing or piano.’ I took piano because at least I’d still be able to play at 90 and I still love it,” she says.She did become a music teacher while in Invercargill and taught private music lessons in Alexandra also.Keen to get involved in the community, Annette joined yoga where another woman invited her to join the Alexandra Community Advice Network, which then led to becoming a Meals on Wheels volunteer and coordinator. “We started the volunteer drivers' roster which is fulfilling a real need in the community."Annette and Dale with the grandchildren. “They light up my life.” Photo: SuppliedA South Otago Women’s Hockey representative player in her younger days, Annette still keeps fit walking their beloved Maltese, ‘Dolly’, playing golf, and she even biked the Rail Trail with her eldest grandson.Bridge, and that beloved music, are also favourites. Annette is one of the organists at St Enoch’s Church and plays piano at the local retirement homes for the Anglican Church services held there monthly.That presenter is still in her too, always first to put up her hand for Christmas party shows and skits. “I just love fun. Everything I do I try to make it lighthearted and fun and enjoy every day.”

Two emus patrol Danielle Lane’s paddocks in the Waikerikeri Valley, towering over the chickens that like to free range under the trees and the toddlers, trailing behind their mother. Life is busy on the 11-acre block just outside Alexandra - home to 300 laying hens, a strawberry patch nearly ready for its first pick-your-own season, rows of freshly planted Christmas trees, and a soon-to-be one year old and three year old.For Danielle, it’s about building a business and creating the kind of childhood for her kids she remembers from her own upbringing.A chunk of her early years were lived on a lifestyle block in Wainui, just north of Auckland. “We went to a rural school and did ag days, hatched chicks and bottle-fed lambs,” she said. “It was just an awesome, awesome childhood, and I always wanted that for my kids as well.”Her path to Central Otago was far from direct. She was born on the island of Guernsey, and her parents moved to New Zealand when she was a baby, seeking a fresh start. Danielle learned to snowboard at Snowplanet in Auckland, which led to a season in Wānaka straight after high school. That first taste of Central Otago set her off “chasing winters” across Canada, America and Australia until she realised she loved the summers here even more.Danielle completed a teaching degree by distance through Canterbury University while living in Wānaka.An emu was always on Danielle’s wishlist - and now she has two. Image: SuppliedA mountain bike race introduced her to Cam, a born-and-bred Central Otago local, and eventually the couple settled in Alexandra. Danielle taught at Goldfields and Omakau schools - some readers will know her as “Miss Lane” - before turning her attention to raising children and chickens.The poultry business began almost accidentally, when Danielle hatched chicks in her classroom. Parents clamoured to take the birds home, and she soon realised there was strong demand for quality hens and eggs. “Lots of people wanted chickens, but no one was really doing them locally,” she said.The enterprise quickly grew, and now she runs 300 commercial layers, selling free-range eggs to cafes, families and at the farm gate, alongside pullets for backyard chicken-keepers. Last year, her eggs picked up recognition at the New Zealand Food Producer Awards.The chickens are just the start. This summer, families will be invited to pick their own strawberries at Tree Range Farm.Danielle admits she’s never successfully grown strawberries before, but saw the idea take off elsewhere and wanted to try it here. “It felt like there was a gap for young families looking for things to do,” she said.This week, she and Cam have also planted “a whole bunch of Christmas trees”, which will mature into another pick-your-own venture in three or four years. Bees, geese, ducks, sheep - and, of course, those two emus - round out the menagerie.Running it all is a family affair. With Cam busy managing his own business, Danielle juggles farm work with caring for their children, Rylee (almost one) and Cooper (three). “It’s wild. We’ve got no staff,” she said.“If I’m collecting eggs and boxing them up, or pruning trees, or planting strawberries - whatever the chores are - the kids are with me, in a backpack, in a trolley, in a pram, crawling around, digging their own holes. “You just have to make it work. It feels really busy at times, but their way of play is my chores.”The brand she’s building reflects her teaching background. She has called the business Tree Range, a play on free range that also signals her philosophy of raising animals and children in natural surroundings. Danielle is developing education programmes too, from glass-sided bee hives she can take into classrooms, to the idea of Tree Range Kids, a nature-based childcare programme she might launch one day.Despite having grown up near Auckland’s beaches, Danielle doesn’t miss life in the city. “I love everything that Central Otago has to offer - the distinct seasons, the skiing and snowboarding and mountain biking scenes, the beautiful lakes and mountains,” she said.“It feels like it’s got everything you need.”Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

As the winter ice season concludes, hockey players, curlers and figure skaters will be hanging up their gear and starting to thaw out.The outdoor rink in Naseby had its last day on Saturday (August 23), and IceInline Alexandra closed to the public last weekend as well. Final games of ice hockey were played this week - including a visit from a Toronto-based women’s team.The Leaside Wildcats made a mixed team for a social game with the Alexandra Flames.Committee member Michelle Wallis said a lot of their young girls were aspiring to play for Leaside as part of an international exchange programme set up by Ice Hockey New Zealand in 2012.The programme includes the billeting of international players seeking a training opportunity in Canada, playing regular season games in the Ontario Women’s Hockey League and possible team tournaments in the USA.Michelle said many of the young Flames players were involved in representative teams and the recent ‘It’s In The Bag’ fundraiser made $13,000 to support players.Meanwhile, the Alexandra Ice Skating Club still has several skaters involved in competitions in Dunedin and Queenstown over the next few weeks, and club president Jo Tickle qualified for the New Zealand Champs in October.The ice plant would be turned off this Sunday, with the finale of the curling competition that night. Eight clubs have been involved, from as far away as Cardrona, Arrowtown and Cambrian.IceInline chair Murray Miller said the $1.6M roof extended the season by three weeks at the beginning - opening in mid-April instead of early May.But with warmer afternoons and school bookings now finished for the season, the committee couldn’t justify leaving the rink open any later.The indoor curling rink in Alexandra would continue to take bookings until interest dwindled, he said.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

The results from Central Otago District Council’s latest satisfaction survey are out and they reveal residents are broadly happy with council services, although the results come from a smaller, less representative sample than in previous years.Just 195 people took part in the 2025 survey, less than half the 455 who responded in 2024 and a fraction of the district’s 24,300-plus population. The council noted the sample was also skewed, with 64 percent of respondents aged over 55.Overall satisfaction with council services rose from 79 percent last year to 82 percent this year. Libraries scored highest, with 96 percent satisfaction, followed by curbside recycling and rubbish pickups, emergency management, council reception areas, public toilets, parks and reserves, noise control, and sports grounds - all recording ratings in the 90s.Areas needing improvement included cemeteries (69 percent satisfaction), building consents (65 percent), environmental health inspections (60 percent), and resource consents, which were lowest at 41 percent satisfaction.When asked about priorities, residents ranked water supply and sewage systems top, followed by economic development. Footpaths, stormwater, and a refuse shop were tied in fourth place. The council noted ongoing community support for a reuse shop, which has remained a priority since the closure of the Wastebusters Alexandra facility in 2023.Satisfaction with elected councillors also rose, from 44 percent last year to 56 percent this year, and with community board members - from 58 percent to 69 percent. The survey was conducted using the Let’s Talk Kōrero Mai consultation platform, with respondents needing to register to participate. The survey relied on participants “self-selecting” and was promoted throughout the district through media channels, elected members and community outreach efforts, the council said.Council chief executive Peter Kelly thanked those who took part, saying:, “We look forward to hearing from more next year, especially those people with young families, first homeowners, or new to the district…We always want to keep improving. The feedback received will be carefully considered as there is always room for improvement.”The survey was promoted district-wide and open online from late May to late June. This year marks the 10th time it has been run.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

Central Otago is already booming, and a new council report suggests the growth could accelerate even further over the next decade, reaching “breaking point” without intervention and investment.The ‘Central Otago Helicopter View’ report forecasts 6,650 new dwellings by 2035, pushing the district’s population to 41,500 - a 63 percent jump from 2025.The report was presented to the mayor and councillors at a meeting on Wednesday (August 27) by Central Otago District Council (CODC) staffer and regional deals lead Dylan Rushbrook.Dylan said the figures assume “zero constraints”, meaning they don’t account for potential shortages in construction labour or materials, or macro factors like interest rates.Plus, major projects such as a proposed gold mine at Bendigo and an international airport at Tarras have not been factored in.“It is reasonable to expect both those projects would have an impact on the level of certainty of residential developments,” Dylan said.“Such growth without interventions will push social infrastructure to breaking point. It is also clear hard infrastructure delivered by council and central government will not cope with such growth without investment.”The report highlights the need for a coordinated approach between the district council, neighbouring councils, regional council, and central government. CODC mayor Tamah Alley said the approach - evident in the current regional deals negotiations - is new territory.“It is a completely new way of negotiating a future that genuinely looks at long-term outcomes well beyond election cycles,” she said.A joint committee with representatives from CODC, Otago Regional Council and Queenstown Lakes District Council is regularly meeting ahead of negotiations beginning in force with Wellington decision makers.Dylan said staff and joint committee members will keep councillors updated as any deals progress, with the council remaining the final decision-maker on any deal.“With the forecast level of growth as outlined in this report, a co-ordinated approach between OCL [Otago Central Lakes] and central government gives ourselves the best chance at best managing the impacts of exponential growth,” he said.However he managed expectations, saying, “not everything asked for” should be expected in round one.For more details, the full report is available on page 152 of the agenda from the August 27 council meeting, available on the council’s website.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]